Oppo 103 Blu-ray Player Gets 3 Stars!

[bigboss]

The fact that this player does a lot more than the rest, & also has analogue outs, has been completely ignored...

The analogue outputs were not ignored...

"Even older amps which are completely devoid of HDMI inputs are catered for, as the Oppo can decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio onboard and output a signal from its set of multichannel analogue outputs."

The fact that this player does a lot more than the rest, & also has analogue outs, has been completely ignored while giving the verdict.

You can't just say "use 2 boxes instead of one" and ignore the versatility of the Oppo for the final verdict.

 

[Ian986]

I have had a bit more time to play with the oppo 103 last night and to tonight

Blu Ray playback seems very simular colours seem a little brighter sound a little better

SACD seems a better tonight

CD play back is a lot better than my BD60 and gracenote is easy on the eye too Tron Legacy rocks on cd (someone on another forum said it was one of the best cd to show off )

 

[duaplex]

My sentiments exactly Ian

 

[duaplex]

The fact that this player does a lot more than the rest, & also has analogue outs, has been completely ignored...

The analogue outputs were not ignored...

"Even older amps which are completely devoid of HDMI inputs are catered for, as the Oppo can decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio onboard and output a signal from its set of multichannel analogue outputs."

The fact that this player does a lot more than the rest, & also has analogue outs, has been completely ignored while giving the verdict.

You can't just say "use 2 boxes instead of one" and ignore the versatility of the Oppo for the final verdict.

Perhaps they are saving it for the 105 review.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Yep pretty damning. I wonder what they will give the 105?

I wouldn't like to predict. Fair play to WHF for saying what they really thought about the 103 though. Many reviews are predictable and boring this certainly was not.

 

[The_Lhc]

Yep pretty damning. I wonder what they will give the 105?

It's not like there's no precedent for this though, the 93 only got 4 stars, primarily for weaknesses in the sound, the 95 however got 5 stars, so you can't suggest they're going to automatically mark the 105 down, certainly not just because it's an Oppo, which is what some people seem to be trying to infer (exactly the same as some people did when the 93 and 95 reviews were published).

 

[duaplex]

Yep pretty damning. I wonder what they will give the 105?

It's not like there's no precedent for this though, the 93 only got 4 stars, primarily for weaknesses in the sound, the 95 however got 5 stars, so you can't suggest they're going to automatically mark the 105 down, certainly not just because it's an Oppo, which is what some people seem to be trying to infer (exactly the same as some people did when the 93 and 95 reviews were published).

I agree, I made that same point a few posts back about the 93 getting a 4 star rating. I think it's fair when you consider what the review mentions. personally I feel its a 4 star machine as the benefits come through on larger screen's.

The 105 is incredible with CD playback, that will inevitable receive a better rating because of it.

 

[manicm]

on a SACD which is better DSD or PCM ?

just going to watch a film now so will report back later !

If your AV amp can decode native DSD (not all do), then setting DSD output from your Oppo should be better - and remember this will only be through HDMI.

 

[manicm]

Yep pretty damning. I wonder what they will give the 105?

It's not like there's no precedent for this though, the 93 only got 4 stars, primarily for weaknesses in the sound, the 95 however got 5 stars, so you can't suggest they're going to automatically mark the 105 down, certainly not just because it's an Oppo, which is what some people seem to be trying to infer (exactly the same as some people did when the 93 and 95 reviews were published).

Yes, I also fail to see where WHF's apparent anti-Oppo bias eminates from - after all they also gave the CA651BD only 4 stars as well.

 

[Jamboman]

Whilst I appreciate there is a subjective element to any review to be so far apart from other publications makes me question the basis of opinion or the science beind it (either here or elsewhere). The difference between being 'not massively better than the best budget players' to the 'new blu-ray king' is in my mind significant and undermines the review process. I don't expect there to be a general consensus of opinion surely experts couldn't possibly deviate so much on something as discrete as a blu-ray player; its not like having a view on global warming!

I like my 103, it has fired life into movie soundtracks, loads quickly and will be tinkered with when I have some spare time. Psychologically does it feel £300 better than the Sony in the other room?...Not now!

 

[Deleted member 2457]

What does snuff mean anyway?

I pretty sure I know what it means and have just been looking it up to confirm. This is what I would say it means just about anything you want it to. Is that right?

 

[Deleted member 2457]

What does snuff mean anyway?

I pretty sure I know what it means and have just been looking it up to confirm. This is what I would say it means just about anything you want it to. Is that right?

For example poor, no good, not up to standard, rubbish, etc.

 

[professorhat]

I don't expect there to be a general consensus of opinion surely experts couldn't possibly deviate so much on something as discrete as a blu-ray player; its not like having a view on global warming!

Experts in all fields have wildly different views and opinions - even on things actually based on "science". But there is no science to a reviewing process like the one used by WHF - they sit down in front of the player for a bit, check it out, compare it with other devices at different price points, have a big discussion about it, then eventually come up with a review and a score. Nothing scientific about that - just opinion (albeit several people's opinions) based on a good deal of experience.

Arguing about such things is a bit pointless really (not that I'm saying you're arguing, but certainly some people are!) - it's much the same as arguing with someone who doesn't like a film you like and gives it a bad review. But I'm sure it will carry on regardless for a few more days / weeks until eventually something else comes along.

I like to refer to the great philosopher Ginger Ventura at times like this, when she says in The Terminator, "Look at it this way - in 100 years, who's gonna care?"

 

[GSB]

John O'connor might..!! :shifty:

 

[Alantiggger]

It's well liked here : http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2412458,00.asp

and here : http://www.hometheater.com/content/oppo-bdp-103-blu-ray-3d-player

and here : http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/oppo-bdp-103-201212052427.htm

 

[duaplex]

It's well liked here : http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2412458,00.asp

and here : http://www.hometheater.com/content/oppo-bdp-103-blu-ray-3d-player

and here : http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/oppo-bdp-103-201212052427.htm

No review can be equal. For example;

Was it a tv or projector used?

Which speakers?

Which speaker wire?

What settings on the player?

Was the screen professionally calibrated?

Which AV?

Which sub?

CD used, remastered or first edition CD?

Finally just for giggles - which HDMI cable )

I could go on, but no review can be equal, so comparing makes no difference IMO

 

[The_Lhc]

It's well liked here : http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2412458,00.asp

and here : http://www.hometheater.com/content/oppo-bdp-103-blu-ray-3d-player

and here : http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/oppo-bdp-103-201212052427.htm

I'm not being funny but after 23 EDITED pages if anyone hasn't figured out already that there are other reviews sites that like this player then they really haven't been paying attention...

 

[Alantiggger]

It's well liked here : http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2412458,00.asp

and here : http://www.hometheater.com/content/oppo-bdp-103-blu-ray-3d-player

and here : http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/oppo-bdp-103-201212052427.htm

No review can be equal. For example;

Was it a tv or projector used?

Which speakers?

Which speaker wire?

What settings on the player?

Was the screen professionally calibrated?

Which AV?

Which sub?

CD used, remastered or first edition CD?

Finally just for giggles - which HDMI cable )

I could go on, but no review can be equal, so comparing makes no difference IMO

Oww, tbh I have no idea... email them and ask maybe ?

You can't go through life with that sort of thinking surely ?

Most reviews I have ever read about 'things' never mention all of the above.... IF they ever did then I missed it.

You don't perhaps do double blind tests on all of your own equipment by any chance ?

When it comes to the blu ray players is it not the picture that is the main thing to consider then ? (wires don't really matter from what I've read so far)

 

[Exoticsounds]

The single star rating used by what hi-fi is misleading, it summes up all aspects of the review into one graphic grade which more or less amounts to "value for money".

They should rather split it up and have multiple scoring criterias with their own grade.

For BD that could for instance be:

- Functionality

- Ease of use

- Sound quality

- Picture quality

- Value for money

 

[duaplex]

It's well liked here : http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2412458,00.asp

and here : http://www.hometheater.com/content/oppo-bdp-103-blu-ray-3d-player

and here : http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/oppo-bdp-103-201212052427.htm

No review can be equal. For example;

Was it a tv or projector used?

Which speakers?

Which speaker wire?

What settings on the player?

Was the screen professionally calibrated?

Which AV?

Which sub?

CD used, remastered or first edition CD?

Finally just for giggles - which HDMI cable )

I could go on, but no review can be equal, so comparing makes no difference IMO

Oww, tbh I have no idea... email them and ask maybe ?

You can't go through life with that sort of thinking surely ?

Most reviews I have ever read about 'things' never mention all of the above.... IF they ever did then I missed it.

You don't perhaps do double blind tests on all of your own equipment by any chance ?

When it comes to the blu ray players is it not the picture that is the main thing to consider then ? (wires don't really matter from what I've read so far)

Oh I know, I was just pointing out that no two test environments will be the same. For bluray, picture and sound are vital. Cables for sound will matter and certainly speakers used.

For picture - again very important with this player. A massive difference can be seen between a 50 inch tv and projector.

No I don't do perform double blind tests hehe

 

[Ian986]

Just watched Tron and all I can say is WOW! don't remember it being that good with Panasonic :clap:

On a setting up query one of the reviews that was linked to this post, said that HDMI outputs use different processors and to use HDMI 2 if you want to decode DSD for SACD.HDMI 1 which has marvel processor so should be better for blu rays I am currently useing HDMI 2 because been playing a lot of SACD in DSD mode, but switched back to PCM and could not hear the difference, so was wondering weather worth swapping back to HDMI 1 the reason I ask this is not very easy to get to my wires,so wondered what other people was using?

 

[Roundhead 5000]

Been working away, sorry for the late reply Big Boss...

I have an LX 86, a Panasonic VT65, Jamo Concert 11s, (fronts) 8s, (rears) Concert centre, Concert surrounds( can't remember the model number) and a pair of Monitor audio rxfx for front height/width. Also two REL R328 subs. So a reasonable set up I think. I already have a KRP 500a in the bedroom so a second T.V is not required. I am happy with the picture I get from the BT500 but just wondered if worthwhile improvments could be had from a top end player from the likes of Marantz or maybe Denon/Oppo... I Have a Marantz CD7 on my hi fi and have always loved it.

 

[duaplex]

It goes without saying that there will be improvements with the Oppo 105 (in this case for music) It's ability to play CD's using the analogue outputs really negates the need to have a standalone CD player, for me. But like most things, its subject to taste. I would have a demo with the player and possibly buy it online so you can return it if not satisfied.

From personal experience, picture and sound are superior on this player to that of the BDT500. I had an extensive demo with the panasonic, sony and oppo range and nothing came close to the Oppo on bluray playback and Music. To say they perform like budget players is not true, not even in the slightest

Give Hifix a call and speak to David he will demo it for you and show you how much better it really is.

Nice setup by the way, snap on the TV and I love the LX86, I wish I could upgrade mine to it!!

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Hey look David is on Amazon!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009P3R6LO/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_i4?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0FGAW1GJZRMJ6RJV450K&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=317828027&pf_rd_i=468294

Good feedback too.

 

[Roundhead 5000]

It goes without saying that there will be improvements with the Oppo 105 (in this case for music) It's ability to play CD's using the analogue outputs really negates the need to have a standalone CD player, for me. But like most things, its subject to taste. I would have a demo with the player and possibly buy it online so you can return it if not satisfied.

From personal experience, picture and sound are superior on this player to that of the BDT500. I had an extensive demo with the panasonic, sony and oppo range and nothing came close to the Oppo on bluray playback and Music. To say they perform like budget players is not true, not even in the slightest

Give Hifix a call and speak to David he will demo it for you and show you how much better it really is.

Nice setup by the way, snap on the TV and I love the LX86, I wish I could upgrade mine to it!!

Thanks duaplex, I have to be honest, I personally don't think the Panny 65 is as good as my KRP 500a (whole other thread) but it is a bigger screen and my viewing distance is similar so I thought I could try and improve it from the inside, so to speak. So I will investigate the 105 and thanks for taking the time to comment.

I have only had the LX86 for a few weeks, I used to have the first VSA AX10, then an Onkyo TX NR 905. I thought the Onkyo was pretty good, but the Pioneer is like listening to a new soundtrack. I swear I'm hearing sounds I didn't hear before, not just that they were muffled or indistinct. I realise you have to allow for set up and some amps are all about detail and have a different balance etc etc. But I'm really impressed with the Pioneer. And a 9.2 set up just washes over you. Very happy sound wise.

Ok I'm looking at the BDP 105 EU for around a grand. There is also a 95 which seems to be more expensive in general. Am I right in thinking the 105 is the update to the 95? Or are they two seperate players which co exist?